Body_weight

Weight Management

Do You Really Need to Lose Weight?

Our weight-obsessed culture makes almost all of us feel at one time or another that we should probably try and lose weight. Many times, in an effort to lose weight, we turn to diets and diet plans.

Whether or not you really need to lose weight is something you need to think about. The most important thing to think about is what's right for YOUR body? You should never diet or try to lose weight because you're trying to reach someone else's unrealistic and unhealthy idea of how much you should weigh.

If you do honestly need to lose weight because you are overweight or obese, it is important to begin by thinking about a long-term lifetime weight management program that will work for you.  

You do NOT want to jump on fads or try “quick-fixes”, because they can actually end up both hurting your health and also decreasing your chances for long-term success in keeping your weight at healthy levels.

The biggest key is to keep it simple. Remember, if you burn off more energy (calories) than you eat, you will lose weight. The basic idea is to eat better and exercise more.

Also, if you find that you're confused by all the dieting advice you get and if you feel overwhelmed by all the choices and can't decide where to start, just remember that you're not alone. Dieting can be really confusing, and that's why you should make sure to follow a few healthy tips to make losing weight easier and to ensure your success.

TIPS

Ask Yourself If You're Really Hungry

Whenever you feel like eating, look for physical signs of hunger such as an empty feeling in your stomach, growling, rumbling or gurgling stomach sounds, lightheadedness, irritability, headache or lack of concentration. Hunger is your body's way of telling you that you need fuel. Remember that when a craving doesn't come from hunger, eating will never satisfy it. Also, when you're done eating, you should feel better – not stuffed, bloated, or tired. Keep in mind that your stomach is only the size of your fist, so it takes just a handful of food to fill it comfortably.

Don't Jump onto Fad Diets

If you want to know whether a diet you are considering is a fad, ask yourself, does it:

  • Promote miracle foods or formulas?
  • Require little or no physical activity?
  • Focus on quick weight loss?
  • Provide menus and plans?
  • Encourage very specific food combinations?
  • Guarantee success?

If you answer "yes" to any of those questions, it means you're likely looking at a fad diet.

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